# Why do my margaritas suck? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 13, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-margaritas-suck/585282 "2011-06-13T03:14:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-margaritas-suck/585282/41 "2011-06-16T11:50:38Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > I don’t know anything about drinks mixing but in cooking, it’s well-known that squeezing limes too hard results in very bitter juice. Use a juicing strategy that doesn’t damage the rind so much. See, I thought so! But I never tested it out. Definitely next time I make them I’ll be gentler with the limes and see if that helps. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![AndyPolley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@AndyPolley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyPolley)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-margaritas-suck/585282/42 "2011-06-16T12:34:59Z")
Among the excellent suggestions made, the type of tequila you use may also be a factor. I’ve read that you want a 100% blue agave tequila for the tastiest margaritas. Basically, go for a good silver (clear colored) tequila. You shouldn’t have to break the bank. 1800 (the brand in your recipe) is a ‘fancy’ brand and is often served on it’s own. A good silver style should blend a bit better for a margarita. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-margaritas-suck/585282/43 "2011-06-17T03:36:19Z")
I always a prefer a gold tequila in my margaritas. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-margaritas-suck/585282/44 "2011-06-17T04:09:27Z")
One cup tequila, one half cup Cointreau, one half cup lime juice, ice, salt. The measuring starts to get a little off for the second drink. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Violaceous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Miss\_Violaceous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Violaceous)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-margaritas-suck/585282/45 "2011-06-17T11:24:27Z")
Sometimes if I want a sweeter margarita I’ll add a splash of Chambord. It makes a tangy berry margarita that’s worlds better than the artificially flavored mixes. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-margaritas-suck/585282/46 "2011-06-17T12:22:11Z")
I find Cointreau to be a waste in a margarita where I can’t taste it through the tequila and salt. I can taste the difference in a Cosmo. Ordinary triple sec (like a Phillips or something) is CHEAP and Cointreau or Grand Marnier - while wonderful make a lot fewer margaritas for the money. Tequila has such a strong flavor to me on its own. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-margaritas-suck/585282/47 "2011-06-17T12:43:57Z")
I think the addition of Orgeat (almond) syrup makes margaritas awesome. I also prefer the taste of an actual good bar sour mix to use with the tequila rather than fresh lime juice. So my margaritas go something like this: 2oz good tequila 2oz bar sour 1/2oz triple sec splash rose’s lime juice splash of orgeat syrup shaken vigorously in a strainer with ice poured over ice in a large margarita glass with salted rim finish with a fresh lime wedge When I used to bartend at a local country club, everybody loved my margaritas. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-margaritas-suck/585282.md?page=2)